6 ~ Drugged
I stepped out of her room and closed the door behind me.
The sound was soft but in my head only one thing was echoing.
'Because I'm not ,someone you can handle.'
My steps slowed down as I walked down the corridor, my fingers brushing against my jaw unconsciously, as if trying to erase something that wasn't there.
Or maybe...trying to remember it better.
My mind didn't leave that room.
It didn't leave her.
Mukti Rathore.
My jaw tightened. "You did all that... just so I'd reject you."
The pieces fit too perfectly now.
The attitude, the way she spoke and the way she looked at me without hesitation.
That wasn't inappropriate behaviour or a mistake, it was deliberate.
I had sensed it as soon as she closed the door, the way she was correcting her veil when I looked at her lips.
It was evident that she was feeling uncomfortable doing all that she chose to do, so I reject her.
A low, humorless scoff left my lips.
"Smart," I murmured, shaking my head slightly. "Very smart."
But the thought didn't satisfy me, it irritated me because instead of pushing me away she did the exact opposite.
My mind replayed it again.
Her hand, the way she lifted the glass and tilted her head slightly leaning closer as if she didn't give a damn about boundaries.
And then...her finger holding my chin, tilting it slightly, making me drink the water. Her thumb caressing my lower lip wiping the water droplets.
My throat went dry at the memory.
What the hell was that?
I closed my eyes for a brief second, exhaling slowly.
I couldn't help but bite my lips.
That wasn't how women behaved.
Not the kind I'm used to, and not something I approve of. I've always hated that.
It's disrespectful and unacceptable.
Still the spark was running straight through my veins the moment she touched me.
The moment she looked at me like I was just a man.
Not Kartik Singhaniya.
Not someone to be careful around.
Not someone to impress.
Just... someone she could challenge.
"Unbelievable..." I whispered under my breath, almost irritated at myself.
She was doing everything I despised. Everything I would normally shut down instantly and instead of rejecting her I was... watching and feeling everything quietly.
My fingers curled into a fist at my side.
No. That's not how this works.
I didn't get affected. I didn't get pulled into games. I end them.
A voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Kartik!"
I blinked and reality crashed back.
I walked down the remaining steps and stepped into the hall and there they were.
Her family.
My family.
All eyes turning toward me.
Waiting.
My father stood there, looking at me with that familiar expectation and hope.
My gaze flickered briefly...Just once towards the direction of her room.
My jaw tightened again.
She wanted me to reject her. That was the plan.
That was the whole damn game.
My lips pressed into a thin line.
A slow breath left me as something cold and decisive settled inside my chest.
You wanted me to walk away?
A faint, dangerous edge crept into my expression.
Too bad.
And this time there was no hesitation because I'd made my decision.
A slow smile pulled at my lips.
I looked back at my father and gave a small nod.
That's all it took.
His face lit up instantly, relief and satisfaction flashing across his features as he stood. He stepped toward me, placing a firm hand on my shoulder...heavy, grounding, but also questioning.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice lower now, more serious. "There's no going back after this."
Her face flashed in my mind.
That defiance, boldness and that touch.
My jaw tightened.
I looked back at my father, my expression settling into something firm and unshakable.
"Haan, Dad," I said, my voice steady, leaving no room for doubt. "Main taiyaar hoon." I paused then nodded, "Mujhe ye rishta manzoor hai."
(Yes father. I'm ready. I want this marriage.)
Everything shifted.
Voices rose, smiles spread and someone called out to bring sweets. The atmosphere filled with celebrations.
But I didn't react because my mind was already somewhere else.
Back in that room, to her.
A faint smirk tugged at my lips as I stared ahead, unfazed by the chaos around me.
Her father straightened with visible satisfaction. My father's expression turned proud instantly.
"Dekha," he said with a small laugh, looking at me. "Maine kaha tha na tumhe Mukti pasand aayegi."
(See? I told you, you would like Mukti.)
I nodded once.
"Of course," I replied evenly. "She is perfect."
The drive back was quiet.
My father talked about arrangements, timelines, alliances.
I heard him but I wasn't listening. My mind was still in that room, on that bed.
On the way she sat beside me without hesitation.
On the way she touched me...and sat on my lap.
Back home, my father was still pleased, and even proud.
Finally, his son agreed to marry.
Finally, something fell into place.
But he also knew that he couldn't delay this because he was afraid I might change my mind later.
So he wanted this marriage as soon as possible.
The door shut behind me.
Silence returned.
My mind already drifting back.
Her voice.
'I'm not someone you can handle.'
A low exhale left me. Challenge accepted.
I walked toward the window, pulling out a cigarette, lighting it with practice ease.
The first drag was slow.
I tried not to think about her but she was still in my head.
I closed my eyes briefly and she appeared.
That posture, confidence and that defiance in her tone.
And then another image overlapped.
The club...and Chahat.
She walked into a 21+ club without permission.
Flashback
I noticed her before she even stepped inside.
From the glass panel on the first floor, my gaze had drifted down out of habit... scanning, assessing and controlling what happened under my roof. That's when I saw Ishika approaching the entrance.
And she wasn't alone.
The girl beside her looked nervous. I could tell that much in one glance.
My eyes narrowed slightly as I watched them pause at the entrance, the bouncer doing his job for once. Good.
Ishika. I knew her well enough to know she wouldn't take no for an answer. And I wasn't wrong. I could almost see her arguing from up here.
My jaw tightened.
"Idiot," I muttered under my breath, already turning away.
I shouldn't allow this.
Not in my club.
Not under my name.
Still I picked up my phone and called downstairs.
"Let them in," I said curtly before disconnecting.
But I wanted to see what she'd do next.
I kept an eye on them after that.
The one who looked underage...she stayed back and Ishika went to the dance floor along with her other friend.
At first, her eyes moved around, taking everything in like she had stepped into a world she wasn't meant to see yet.
A guy approached her but she denied and was actually about to crash a bottle on his head.
He went.
My sight fell on Ishika. I needed to talk to her about this
Ayaan had spoiled her enough to think rules didn't apply to her.
I scolded her that she's underage and it's not allowed.
After that I got busied myself with calls and office work.
I was passing from the corridor when I heard loud voices coming from the Store room.
The music was loud but not loud enough to drown the sound that made me stop mid-step.
A crash.
Then something like... a scream.
My jaw tightened as I turned toward the corridor leading to the store room.
What the hell was happening in my club?
The door was locked. And another dull thud came from inside.
My instincts sharpened instantly. Something wasn't right.
I pulled out my phone. "Get the master keys. Now."
By the time the manager rushed over, slightly out of breath, my patience was already thinning. I snatched the keys from his hand.
I inserted the key and twisted the door knob. The lock clicked and I pushed the door open.
The scene inside made me freeze.
A man lay on the floor... bleeding, barely conscious, struggling to even lift himself.
My gaze shifted.
There she was. Ishika's friend.
She stood a few steps away, her fingers clutching her head, her body swaying like she couldn't hold herself upright anymore.
Her vision looked unfocused.
My expression hardened when i realised she was drugged. Before she could collapse, I moved forward and caught her.
Her body fell against mine... soft, warm, completely unguarded.
For a second, I stilled.
Her curves pressed into me, her weight leaning fully against my chest.
And against my will, my eyes dropped to her face.
She was... beautiful. But one of a dangerous kind. The kind that didn't think. The kind that walked straight into danger and expected the world to deal with it.
My jaw clenched.
I hated these types of girls. Careless, naive and always needing to be saved from the mess they create.
And this one?
She was walking, talking trouble.
I exhaled sharply and lifted her into my arms.
Very light.
"Handle him," I ordered coldly, gesturing toward the bleeding man on the floor. My voice left no room for questions.
I walked out without looking back.
The moment I entered the main area, Ishika spotted me.
Her expression changed instantly. "What... what happened?!"
"She's been drugged," I said flatly.
"What?" She shouted in panic.
"Nothing happened to her."
Her face drained of color as she rushed closer, panic flickering in her eyes.
"Chahat!"
So that was her name.
Tempting.
I said nothing. Just adjusted my hold slightly as she stirred faintly in my arms.
"Get the car ready," I told my driver the second we stepped outside.
Within minutes, the car was at the entrance.
I lowered her carefully into the seat, making sure she didn't slump sideways. Ishika climbed in beside her, still shaken.
"Thank you," she said quickly, her voice sincere this time. "If you hadn't..."
I cut her off with a look.